Helping people

gbarr on 2004-08-28T07:29:32

Why is it that some people think they have a birth right to be helped, however hard they make it for you to help them. Most people are happy for whatever help you can give them. But occasionally you get someone who sends the briefest description then takes offense when your response does not fix their problem. Take a read of this email

On 10 Jul 2004, at 15:15, Andrew Murray wrote:
>
> Graham,
>
> That's a pretty rude response from a geek who's module isn't
> authenticating properly.
>
> I got it fixed by using localhost as my mailer but I'm at a loss why
> the
> auth command isn't sending at all.

 Neither am I because the details you give me are nothing. You give
 nothing then there is nothing I can return.

 Graham.

> On Sat, 10 Jul 2004 08:24:50 +0100, "Graham Barr" 
> said:
>> On 10 Jul 2004, at 02:59, Andrew Murray wrote:
>>> i'm sending the command
>>>
>>>    $SMTP->auth($smtpuser, $smtppass);
>>>
>>> but it's not sending to the server, always PLAIN login.
>>
>> I am sorry but if you are not clear about all aspects of your problem
>> then I cannot really help. I suggest you start by reading something
>> like http://www.catb.org/user/esr/faqs/smart-questions.html then ask
>> again.
>>
>> Graham.
>>
> -- 
>   Andrew Murray

OK, maybe I was a bit blunt in my first reply, but he then followed this with a long essay, which I just ignored.

Then today, over a month later, I get

"Neither am I"? Are you sure you didn't mean "So am I"? Do i need to write you another fucking 50 page guide on how to communicate online for those who never learnt to communicate offline?

Which is nothing more than an attack on me and only served to get him added to a blacklist.

Why do people shoot themselves in the foot by directly attacking the same person they are trying to ask for help?


Shirts

cog on 2004-08-30T10:16:22

Why do you think some shirts exist? :-)

Forget him! That guy isn't worth the trouble! :-) Block his e-mail and spend your time doing what you like the most :-)

Better yet :-)

cog on 2004-08-30T10:21:16

Make up a special auto-reply just for that guy, including something like:

Dear sir/madam,

Your e-mail address has been blocked for usage of improper language: "Do i need to write you another f****** 50 page [...]".

Your e-mail address will remain blocked until you learn how to behave yourself.

Of course this could pose one problem... the guy would probably try to contact you via some other address... :-|